Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists study the chemical and physical properties of substances, develop and monitor chemical processes and production, develop new and improve existing food products, and plan and coordinate the production of wine and spirits.

A bachelor degree in a relevant field is needed to work as a Chemist, and Food or Wine Scientist. Some Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists complete postgraduate studies.

Tasks

conducting experiments and tests to identify the chemical composition and reactive properties of natural substances and processed materials

analysing and conducting research to develop theories, techniques and processes, and testing the reliability of outcomes under different conditions

developing practical applications of experimental and research findings

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Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

$1,979Weekly Pay

Weekly Pay

Earnings are median for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax, including amounts salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.
Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report.

ModerateFuture Growth

Future Growth

The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change, compared to all other occupations. Possible ratings are

Very strong growth

Strong growth

Moderate growth

Stable

Decline

Lower unemploymentUnemployment

Unemployment

A lower unemployment rate shows people who work in this job are less likely to be out of work than people who work in other jobs.

8,700 workersEmployment Size

Employment Size

Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.
Sources: ABS Labour Force Survey (custom trend) for 4-digit occupations (e.g., ANZSCO ID 1112) and 2016 Census for 6-digit occupations (e.g., ANZSCO ID 111211). As the figures come from different sources, the 6-digit figures may not sum to match the 4-digit totals.

Very high skillSkill level rating

Skill Levels

Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job tasks. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job. Entry level jobs often need no prior training or experience. Possible ratings are

Very high skill – 5+ years training or experience, or a Bachelor Degree or higher

High skill – 3+ years training or experience, or an Associate Degree or Diploma

Medium skill – 3+ years training or experience, or a Certificate III/IV

Lower skill – 1+ year of experience, or a Certificate II/III

Entry level – High School or Certificate I

83% Full-Time
Full-Time Share

Full-Time Share

Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

43 hours
Average full-time

Average full-time hours

Average full-time hours is the actual hours worked in this job per week, by people who work full-time hours in all of their jobs combined.

41 yearsAverage age

Average age

This is the average age of all workers in this job. See the Prospects page for the full age profile.

40% femaleGender Share

The number of people working as Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists (in their main job) fell over the past 5 years and is expected to grow over the next 5 years: from 8,700 in 2018 to 9,300 by 2023.Job openings can come from new jobs being created, but most come from turnover (workers leaving).There are likely to be around 4,000 job openings over 5 years (that's about 800 a year).

Size: This is a small occupation.

Unemployment: Unemployment was below average in 2018.

Location: Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists work in many parts of Australia. Victoria and South Australia have a large share of workers.

Industries: Most work in Manufacturing; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; and Retail Trade.

Earnings: Full-time workers on an adult wage earn around $1,979 per week (higher than the average of $1,460). Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows.

Full-time: Most work full-time (83%, much higher than the average of 66%).

Hours: Full-time workers spend around 43 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).

Age: The average age is 41 years (compared to the average of 40 years).

Gender: 40% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).

Employment Outlook

Number of Workers

Year

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Department of Jobs and Small Business trend data to May 2018 and Department of Jobs and Small Business projections to 2023.

Year

Number of Workers

2008

11500

2009

9200

2010

8600

2011

11300

2012

11600

2013

10200

2014

7400

2015

8800

2016

11100

2017

8100

2018

8700

2023

9300

Weekly Earnings

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Earnings

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), May 2018, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.

Earnings

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

All Jobs Average

Full-Time Earnings

1979

1460

Main Industries

Main Employing Industries (% Share)

Main Employing Industries

Industry (% share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).

Main Employing Industries

Industry (% share)

Manufacturing

54.4

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

16.4

Retail Trade

6.2

Public Administration and Safety

4.8

Other Industries

18.2

States and Territories

NSW

VIC

QLD

SA

WA

TAS

NT

ACT

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.

State

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

All Jobs Average

NSW

27.6

31.6

VIC

33.2

25.6

QLD

12.0

20.0

SA

13.3

7.0

WA

10.5

10.8

TAS

1.8

2.0

NT

0.4

1.0

ACT

1.3

1.9

Age Profile

Age Profile (% Share)

Age Bracket

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.

Age Bracket

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

All Jobs Average

All Jobs Average

15-19

1.4

-5.0

5.0

20-24

4.4

-9.3

9.3

25-34

27.6

-22.9

22.9

35-44

27.0

-22.0

22.0

45-54

21.1

-21.6

21.6

55-59

8.2

-9.0

9.0

60-64

5.3

-6.0

6.0

65 and Over

5.0

-4.2

4.2

Education Level

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Type of Qualification

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.

Type of Qualification

Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

All Jobs Average

All Jobs Average

Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate

24.1

-10.1

10.1

Bachelor degree

56.6

-21.8

21.8

Advanced Diploma/Diploma

6.8

-11.6

11.6

Certificate III/IV

3.0

-21.1

21.1

Year 12

7.0

-18.1

18.1

Year 11

1.0

-4.8

4.8

Year 10 and below

1.5

-12.5

12.5

A bachelor degree in a relevant field is needed to work as a Chemist, and Food or Wine Scientist. Some Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists complete postgraduate studies.

Membership with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology or the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology may be useful.

Thinking about study or training?

Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need.

Search and compare thousands of higher education courses, and their entry requirements from different institutions across Australia at Course Seeker website.

Compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes on the QILT website.

Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

Communicating within a team

Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

Documenting or recording information

69% Skill level

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Explaining things to people

69% Skill level

Helping people to understand and use information.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-2031.00 - Chemists.

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

32
work environment criteria available.

Filter Work Environment

Demands

The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.

Face-to-face discussions

Being exact or accurate

Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.

Achievement

81% Important

Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Independence

76% Important

Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

Working conditions

74% Important

Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

Recognition

71% Important

Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.

Support

67% Important

Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

Relationships

43% Important

Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

Analytical

100% Important

Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

Practical

57% Important

Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

Administrative

48% Important

Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

Creative

29% Important

Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

Enterprising

29% Important

Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

Helping

14% Important

Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-2031.00 - Chemists.